Founded in the fall of 2001 on the initiative of local attorney Breean Beggs, the Whatcom Civil Rights Project (WCRP) is a joint endeavor of LAW Advocates, the Whatcom Human Rights Task Force, and Whatcom Peace & Justice Center. Working in conjunction with a network of local attorneys, WCRP provides legal assistance and advocacy to victims of discrimination and civil rights abuse in Whatcom County.

Coach people on how to assert their own rights and sometimes advocate on their behalf.

When we can’t help, we refer people to other organizations that may be able to.

We make a legal referral for selected cases.

WHAT WE DON’T DO

The Whatcom Civil Rights Project does not handle matters outside of Whatcom County. The WCRP does not generally assist in these types of cases:

Criminal defense or post-conviction appeals

Divorce or custody cases

Property disputes

Tax problems

Landlord tenant disputes

Building code issues complaints about lawyers or judges

The WCRP is not a general legal aid provider, such as the public defender’s office or a legal services office that is specifically funded to aid low income people. There are a number of legal service resources in Washington State, and you can find information at the Washington State Bar Association website.